Vacuum packaged 3D vacuum insulated door structure and method therefor using a tooling fixture

ABSTRACT

A method for creating a vacuum insulated panel including preforming a continuous insulation member having male and female engaging surfaces and providing a barrier film envelope having an opening. The insulation member is disposed within the barrier film envelope and a tooling fixture is pressed against the barrier film envelope to press the barrier film envelope against the male and female engaging surfaces to remove gas from between the barrier film envelope and the male and female engaging surfaces. Substantially all gas is removed from within the barrier film envelope so that the barrier film envelope substantially conforms to an exterior surface of the insulation member. The opening of the barrier film envelope is then hermetically sealed, wherein the barrier film envelope forms a continuous layer over the core insulation member to form a vacuum insulated panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to copending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/187,622, entitled “A FOLDING APPROACH TO CREATE A 3D VACUUMINSULATED DOOR FROM 2D FLAT VACUUM INSULATION PANELS” filed on even dateherewith, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the field of cabinet structures for refrigerators,and more specifically, cabinet structures that incorporate vacuuminsulated panels.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an appliance door includes a continuous and shaped coreinsulation member having an outer surface, wherein the outer surface isnot a continuously planar surface and defines at least one, moretypically a plurality of, female engaging surfaces and at least one,more typically a plurality of, male engaging surfaces. The coreinsulation member is a single integral piece having a thickness ofbetween about 8 mm and about 20 mm. A continuous barrier film envelopesurrounds the outer surface of the core insulation member. Substantiallyall of the air is removed from between the barrier film and the coreinsulation member such that the barrier film envelope engages the femaleengaging surfaces and the male engaging surfaces, and the coreinsulation member and the barrier film envelope together form a vacuuminsulated panel having a first side and a second side. At least one ofthe first and second sides define a plurality of appliance modulerecesses positioned proximate the plurality of female engagementsurfaces. A liner has an inner liner surface. At least a portion of thefirst side of the vacuum insulated panel engages the inner liner surfaceand a wrapper coupled with the liner and having an inner wrappersurface, and at least a portion of the second side of the vacuuminsulated panel engages the inner wrapper surface.

In another aspect, a method for creating a vacuum insulated panel for anappliance includes the steps of preforming a continuous core insulationmember having an exterior surface that is not a continuously planarsurface and defining at least one male engaging surface and at least onefemale engaging surface. The core insulation member is a single integralpiece having a thickness of between about 8 mm and about 20 mm,providing a barrier film envelope having at least one opening anddisposing the core insulation member completely within the barrier filmenvelope. The method also includes pressing a tooling fixture againstthe barrier film envelope, wherein the tooling fixture includes aprofile that matingly engages the at least one female engaging surfaceand at least a portion of the at least one male engaging surface. Thetooling fixture presses the barrier film envelope against the at leastone female engaging surface and at least a portion of the at least onemale engaging surface to remove substantially all gas from between thebarrier film envelope and the at least one female engaging surface andat least a portion of the at least one male engaging surface. Alsoincluded in the method is the step of removing gas from within thebarrier film envelope. The barrier film envelope substantially conformsto the exterior surface of the core insulation member therebyhermetically sealing the barrier film envelope to form a continuouslayer over the core insulation member to form a vacuum insulated panel.

Yet another aspect includes a method for creating a vacuum insulateddoor structure for an appliance that includes the step of providing apreformed liner having an inner liner surface and providing a preformedwrapper having an inner wrapper surface and an outer wrapper surfacedefining a dispensing zone. Also included is preforming a continuouscore insulation member having a thickness of between about 8 mm andabout 20 mm, wherein the core insulation member includes an exteriorsurface that is not a continuously planar surface and defines aplurality of female engaging surfaces and a plurality of male engagingsurfaces, and disposing the core insulation member completely within abarrier film envelope. The method also includes pressing a toolingfixture against the barrier film envelope to dispose the barrier filmenvelope against the pluralities of female and male engaging surfaces,wherein the tooling fixture matingly engages the pluralities of femaleand male engaging surfaces to express substantially all gas from betweenthe barrier film envelope and the pluralities of female and maleengaging surfaces, and removing gas from within the barrier filmenvelope. The barrier film envelope substantially conforms to theexterior surface of the core insulation member. Additionally, the methodincludes the step of hermetically sealing the barrier film envelope toform a vacuum insulated panel having a first side and a second side, anddisposing the vacuum insulated panel between the liner and the wrapperand sealing the inner liner to the outer wrapper. At least a portion ofthe first side of the vacuum insulated panel engages the inner linersurface and at least a portion of the second side engages the innerwrapper surface.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present devicewill be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the artupon studying the following specification, claims, and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a refrigerator with the door in aclosed position incorporating one embodiment of the vacuum insulatedpanel;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 with thedoor in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a door of the refrigerator ofFIG. 1 having a water and ice dispensing cavity;

FIG. 4 is a detail cross sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG. 2taken along line IV-IV;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of thevacuum insulated panel with the core insulation member removed from thebarrier film envelope;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the coreinsulation member disposed within the barrier film envelope;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with thetooling fixture about to be pressed against the barrier film envelope;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, taken atline VIII-VIII, with the tooling fixtures being partially pressedagainst the barrier film envelope;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the gasremoved from the barrier film envelope and the barrier film envelopehermetically sealed;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 taken atline X-X; and

FIG. 11 is a flow-chart diagram illustrating steps of a method forcreating a 3D vacuum insulated panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it isto be understood that the device may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

With respect to FIGS. 1-3, a refrigerator 10 is generally shown. In eachof these embodiments, the refrigerator 10 can have at least one door 12.Each door 12 is operable between open and closed positions. Therefrigerator 10 also includes an interior 14 where the door 12selectively provides access to the interior 14 of the refrigerator 10when the door 12 is in the open position. The refrigerator door 12 caninclude an outer wrapper 16 and an inner liner 18 that define a cavity20 disposed therebetween. An insulation panel is disposed within thecavity 20 to minimize the transfer of heat from the interior 14 of therefrigerator 10 through the door 12 to the exterior of the refrigerator10.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the appliance door 12 comprises acontinuous core insulation member 22 having an outer surface 24, wherethe outer surface 24 defines at least one female engaging surface 26 andat least one male engaging surface 28. The continuous core insulationmember 22 is not a fully planar member and can be made of a singleintegral piece. Alternatively, the core insulation member 22 can be madeof multiple shaped or contoured pieces that are combined to form thecore insulation member 22, wherein each of the shaped or contouredpieces can include at least one male and/or female engaging surface 26,28. The outer surface 24 of the core insulation member 22 is notcompletely planar, but includes recessed and protruding members orsections as desired by the refrigerator design. A continuous barrierfilm envelope 30 surrounds the outer surface 24 of the core insulationmember 22 and substantially all of the gas 32 is removed from betweenthe barrier film envelope 30 and the core insulation member 22. In thismanner, the barrier film sealingly engages the at least one femaleengaging surface 26 and the at least one male engaging surface 28. Thecore insulation member 22 and the barrier film envelope 30 cooperate toform a vacuum insulated panel 34 having a first side 36 and a secondside 38, wherein at least one of the first and second sides 36, 38define a plurality of appliance module recesses 40 positioned proximatethe at least one female engaging surface 26. The vacuum insulated panel34 is disposed proximate the liner 18 having an inner liner surface 42,such that at least a portion of the first side 36 of the vacuuminsulated panel 34 engages the inner liner surface 42. The wrapper 16 iscoupled with the liner 18 and includes an inner wrapper surface 44,wherein at least a portion of the second side 38 of the vacuum insulatedpanel 34 engages the inner wrapper surface 44. The wrapper 16 and theliner 18 are coupled together and form the cavity 20 into which theindependently constructed vacuum insulated panel 34 is disposed.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the vacuum insulated panel 34 canalso define an aperture 60 extending therethrough from the first 36 tothe second side 38 of the vacuum insulated panel 34. A tubular conduit62 extends through the aperture 60 from the wrapper 16 to the liner 18.Because the barrier film envelope 30 completely surrounds the outersurface 24 of the core insulation member 22, the core insulation member22 is separated from the tubular conduit 62 by the barrier film envelope30.

The female 26 and male 28 engaging surfaces of the core insulationmember 22 are defined by recesses disposed within the core insulationmember 22. In various embodiments, a recess disposed into a surface ofthe core insulation member 22 defines a female engaging surface 26. Atthe same time, the recess disposed on one side of the core insulationmember 22 can create a protrusion on the opposing side of the coreinsulation member 22. In this manner, the vacuum insulated panel 34includes a substantially consistent thickness. This protrusion defines amale engaging surface 28. In alternate embodiments, the female and maleengaging surfaces 28 can be defined by thinner and thicker portions ofthe core insulation member 22. In such an embodiment, a recess on oneside of the core insulation member 22 does not necessarily define acooperative protrusion on the opposing side, and vice versa. In otherembodiments, female 26 and male 28 engaging surfaces can cooperate todefine more complex engaging surfaces. A female engaging surface 26 maybe positioned within at least a portion of a male engaging surface 28,or vice versa. In each embodiment, the female 26 and male 28 engagingsurfaces cooperate to form at least a portion of the appliance modulerecesses 40 of the appliance 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the plurality of appliance module recesses 40may be configured to receive various appliance modules 50, such as atleast one of an ice dispensing module, a water dispensing module, and adispensing zone 100, along with other appliance modules 50 that caninclude, but are not limited to, a turbo chill module, a fast freezemodule, a shock freeze module, a temperature controlled crispercompartment module, a fresh food compartment module, an ice makingmodule, a heat exchanger module for dispensing cold or chilled water, aheat exchanger module for creating cold or chilled water to facilitateits carbonation and dispense a carbonated beverage and an airlesscooling module.

In various embodiments, the core insulation member 22 of the illustratedembodiments can be made from materials that can include, but are notlimited to, glass fiber, precipitated silica powder, fumed silicapowder, combinations thereof, and other insulating materials. A porousmembrane can be disposed around the precipitated or fumed silica powderto provide added strength and stability during the formation andhandling of the core insulation member 22. The core insulation member 22is a rigid and friable member that can be a single mass or can include aplurality of individually contoured members. The core insulation member22 is formed into the shape of the vacuum insulated panel 34 such thatthe various female engaging surfaces 26 and male engaging surfaces 28are defined by the exterior surface of the core insulation member 22.The male 28 and female 26 engaging surfaces are configured to receive orform various recesses that receive aspects of the refrigerator door 12.These aspects can include, but are not limited to, shelves, modulerecesses, module receptacles, electrical and/or mechanical aspects,dispensing zones, and the like. In this manner, the various male 28 andfemale 26 engaging surfaces of the core insulation member 22 cooperatewith the wrapper 16 and liner 18 of the refrigerator door 12 to form anddefine appliance module recesses 40 disposed within and around theappliance door 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5-9, the barrier film envelope 30 is formed to theshape of a bag or pouch having a single primary opening 70 into whichthe core insulation member 22 can be inserted. In various embodiments,the primary opening 70 is disposed proximate a distal end 72 of thebarrier film envelope. The primary opening 70 in the barrier filmenvelope 30 also provides an opening through which gas 32 can be removedfrom the barrier film envelope 30, thereby creating an at least partialvacuum. The at least partial vacuum within the barrier film envelope 30serves to dispose the barrier film envelope 30 against the coreinsulation member 22 to create the vacuum insulated panel 34.

In various embodiments, the barrier film envelope 30 is made of at leastone barrier film member that is sealed on at least one side to form thebarrier film envelope 30. The barrier film envelope 30 can be preformedsuch that the core insulation member 22 can be inserted into the barrierfilm envelope 30 during assembly of the vacuum insulated panel 34.Alternatively, one or more barrier film members can be sealed to formthe barrier film envelope 30 during assembly. In such an embodiment, thecore insulation member 22 is placed upon a portion of a barrier filmmember, and another portion of the barrier film member is folded overthe core insulation member 22 and sealed on one side to form the barrierfilm envelope 30 around the core insulation member 22. In anothersimilar embodiment, the core insulation member 22 is placed upon a firstbarrier film member and a second barrier film member is placed on top ofthe core insulation member 22 and is sealed on at least one side to thefirst barrier film member to form the barrier film envelope 30 aroundthe core insulation member 22. In each of these embodiments, theunsealed sides of the barrier film envelope 30 can then be sealed aftersubstantially all of the gas is removed from the barrier film envelope30 to form the vacuum insulated panel 34.

In the various embodiments, the barrier film envelope 30 can be made ofmaterials that include, but are not limited to, polymer films, polymerbased metalized films, metal foil, nylon, metalized film, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), low density polyethylene film (LDPE), metalizedethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE),various adhesive layers, aluminum foil, and other metalized or plasticlayers, or combinations thereof. The barrier film envelope 30 caninclude alternating layers of polymer and metalized film with variousprotective and adhesive layers also included. In alternate embodiments,the barrier film envelope 30 can include multiple metal layers adjacentto multiple polymer layers, with various adhesive and protective layersincluded therein.

As shown in FIGS. 4-9, in various alternate embodiments, the barrierfilm envelope 30 can include more than one opening to account for anynumber of various apertures 60 disposed within the core insulationmember 22. In such an embodiment, a secondary opening 80 disposedproximate an aperture 60 of the core insulation member 22 can be sealedwithin the aperture 60 to provide an airtight seal in the barrier filmenvelope 30 at the aperture 60 of the core insulation member 22. In thismanner, gas 32 can be removed from the barrier film envelope 30, so thatthe barrier film envelope 30 is disposed against the entire coreinsulation member 22, including portions of the core insulation member22 proximate the aperture 60. In such an embodiment, the secondaryopening 80 can be preformed during the manufacture of the barrier filmenvelope 30. Alternatively, the secondary opening 80 can be createdduring the assembly of the vacuum insulated panel 34.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the appliance module recesses 40 can bedisposed between the vacuum insulation panel 34 and the wrapper 16 orliner 18 of the refrigerator door 12. The appliance module recesses 40can also be disposed adjacent the wrapper 16 or the liner 18. In suchembodiments, the wrapper 16 and/or the liner 18 dictates the shape ofthe appliance module recess 40 and the vacuum insulated panel 34conforms to at least a portion of the wrapper 16 and/or the liner 18proximate the appliance module recess 40. The vacuum insulated panel 34is a single integral, solid and continuous piece that can be disposedsubstantially along the length of the cavity 20 defined by the wrapper16 and the liner 18. In this way, the core insulation member 22 caninclude a plurality of female 26 and male 28 engaging surfaces that makeup a substantially complex geometric configuration. Additionally, thevacuum insulated panel 34 is configured to extend along at least about80 percent of the inner wrapper surface 44 and up to as much asapproximately 100 percent of the inner wrapper surface 44. Accordingly,the continuous and integral nature of the vacuum insulated panel 34minimizes gaps within the insulation of the door 12 to minimize the lossof heat that is transferred from within the interior 14 of therefrigerator 10 to the exterior of the refrigerator 10 through therefrigerator door 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the vacuum insulated panel 34 is configuredto engage at least a portion of the inner wrapper surface 44 and atleast a part of the inner liner surface 42. In this manner, the vacuuminsulated panel 34 maintains a consistent thickness of betweenapproximately 8 mm to approximately 20 mm. Accordingly, the shape of thevacuum insulated panel 34, and the continuous and integral coreinsulation member 22, are created to substantially conform to the shapeof the cavity 20 defined between the wrapper 16 and the liner 18.Additionally, the core insulation member 22, and, in turn, the vacuuminsulated panel 34, must be shaped to define, with the wrapper 16 and/orthe liner 18, the various appliance module receptacles 40. In addition,as will be described more fully below, the core insulation member 22 andthe vacuum insulated panel 34 may also be shaped to define receptaclesfor piping, conduit and other supporting mechanical/electricalcomponents of the appliance 10.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-11, a method for creating a vacuum insulatedpanel 34 for an appliance door 12 is also disclosed. According to themethod, step 902 includes preforming a continuous core insulation member22 having an exterior surface that defines at least one male engagingsurface 28 and at least one female engaging surface 26. The coreinsulation member 22 is a single integral piece that has a substantiallyconsistent thickness of between about 8 mm and about 20 mm. According tostep 904 of the method, a preformed barrier film envelope 30 isprovided, wherein the barrier film envelope 30 is made according to theembodiments described above. Step 906 of the method includes disposingthe core insulation member 22 completely within the barrier filmenvelope 30.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, and according to the method, step 908discloses pressing a tooling fixture 90 against the barrier filmenvelope 30. The tooling fixture 90 includes a profile that matinglyengages the various female engaging surfaces 26 of the core insulationmember 22 as well as at least a portion of the various male engagingsurfaces 28 of the core insulation member 22. In this manner, thetooling fixture 90 presses the barrier film envelope 30 against thefemale engaging surfaces 26 and portions of the male engaging surfaces28. The tooling fixtures 90 are configured to express the majority ofthe gas 32 from between the barrier film envelope 30 and the femaleengaging surfaces 26 and at least a portion of the male engagingsurfaces 28. In this configuration, gas 32 can be more easily,efficiently, and, typically, substantially completely removed fromwithin the barrier film envelope 30, so that substantially all of thesurface of the core insulation member 22 is engaged by a portion of thebarrier film envelope 30. By placing the barrier film envelope 30proximate these portions, the tooling fixture 90 helps to create astronger vacuum insulated panel 34. Additionally, by positioning thebarrier film envelope 30 proximate the outer surface 24 of the coreinsulation member 22 at the male 28 and female 26 engaging surfaces, thetooling fixture 90 enables the male 28 and female 26 engaging surfacesto better define the appliance module recesses 40 that cooperate withthe wrapper 16 and/or the liner 18 of the refrigerator door 12 toreceive or define various aspects of the refrigerator 10.

According to the method, step 910 includes removing gas 32 from withinthe barrier film envelope 30 through a vacuum opening of the barrierfilm envelope 30. As gas 32 is removed from the barrier film envelope30, the barrier film envelope 30, in conjunction with the placement ofthe tooling fixtures 90 as described in step 908, substantially conformsto the exterior surface of the core insulation member 22. The gas 32 canbe removed from the barrier film envelope 30 by various mechanisms thatinclude, but are not limited to, a vacuum chamber, a vacuum pump, orother similar mechanisms that can expel gas 32 from the interior of thebarrier film envelope 30.

According to step 912, once substantially all of the gas 32 is removedfrom within the barrier film envelope 30, the primary opening 70 of thebarrier film envelope 30 is hermetically sealed such that the barrierfilm envelope 30 forms a continuous layer over the core insulationmember 22 to form the vacuum insulated panel 34. In various embodiments,as discussed above, various apertures 60 that may be disposed within thecore insulation member 22 are also hermetically sealed, such that thebarrier film envelope 30 can be hermetically sealed around the coreinsulation member 22. In this manner, an at least partial vacuum, but,more typically, at least a substantially complete or complete vacuum canbe created within the barrier film envelope 30, whereby the barrier filmenvelope 30 is adhered to substantially all of the exterior surface ofthe core insulation member 22. The barrier film envelope 30 can behermetically sealed by methods that include, but are not limited to,heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, or other method that will hermeticallyseal the barrier film envelope 30. It should be understood that aperfect vacuum is not necessary, and all of the gas 32 within thebarrier film envelope 30 may not be removed during the step of removinggas 32 from within the barrier film envelope 30. Various wrinkles andedges may exist in the barrier film envelope 30, after the barrier filmenvelope 30 is hermetically sealed.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the tooling fixture 90 described in step 908can include a plurality of tooling members 98 that work together topress the barrier film envelope 30 against the various female engagingsurfaces 26 and at least portions of the male engaging surfaces 28defined by the exterior surface of the core insulation member 22. Inthis manner, the female engaging surfaces 26 and the interior angledportions 92 of the male engaging surfaces 28 of the core insulationmember 22 are engaged by the barrier film envelope 30 when the pluralityof tooling members 98 are pressed against the barrier film envelope 30to dispose the barrier film envelope 30 against the core insulationmember 22. The plurality of tooling members 98 can also include at leastone aperture protrusion 94 that is pressed within an aperture 60disposed within the core insulation member 22, such that substantiallyall of the gas 32 can be removed from the barrier film envelope 30proximate any apertures 60 that are disposed within the core insulationmember 22.

In various embodiments, the tooling fixture 90 or at least one of thetooling members 98 can include a generally convex portion 96 having aprofile that matingly engages the female 26 and male 28 engagingsurfaces. The tooling fixture 90 can also include a concave portion formatingly engaging the male engaging surfaces 28 of the core insulationmember 22. The mating surface of the tooling fixture 90 can be pressedagainst the barrier film envelope 30 and the core insulation member 22by hand or by some form of mechanical apparatus. In other variousembodiments, the tooling fixture 90 can include perforations that allowgas 32 to pass through in order to prevent any gas 32 from collectingand being trapped between the tooling fixture 90 and the barrier filmenvelope 30. In such an embodiment, the perforations of the toolingfixture 90 are small enough such that the barrier film envelope 30 doesnot substantially protrude through the apertures 60 and deform thevacuum insulated panel 34. The tooling fixture 90 can take the form offine mesh material or a surface having miniscule perforations. Also, inthe various embodiments, the tooling fixture 90 can be made of materialsthat include, but are not limited to, metallic materials, plastics,composite materials, polymers, or other substantially rigid materialthat can be formed to matingly engage the barrier film envelope 30 andthe core insulation member 22. Also, the plurality of tooling members 98can be made of a combination of materials. In various embodiments,individual tooling members 98 can be made of different materials.Additionally, the tooling fixtures 90 can either be hollow or solidmembers, or a combination thereof.

In embodiments where a plurality of tooling members 98 are used,multiple tooling members 98 can cooperate where the core insulationmember 22 includes particularly complex geometries. Such complexgeometries can include, for example, a female engaging surface 26 with asmaller male engaging surface 28 incorporated therein, or a cavity 20that extends within a male engaging surface 28 or within the coreinsulation member 22 itself. In such configurations, the tooling members98 can be placed in a progression to ensure that substantially all ofthe core insulation member 22 is engaged by the barrier film envelope30. In such an embodiment, the plurality of tooling members 98 can alsobe configured to have a mating engagement with one another.

According to step 914, a preformed liner 18 is provided, wherein thepreformed liner 18 has an inner liner surface 42. The inner linersurface 42 cooperates with a first side 36 of the vacuum insulationpanel 34 to define the various appliance module recesses 40 positionedproximate at least one of the female engaging surfaces 26 or at leastone of the male engaging surfaces 28, or both. According to variousembodiments, the liner 18 of the appliance 10 can be made of variousplastic or metallic materials that can include, but are not limited to,aluminum, aluminum alloys, high impact polyvinyl, various otherpolymers, or combinations thereof. The liner 18 can be formed intovarious geometries that can include integral shelves, shelf receptaclesthat are removeable by hand without the use of tools, and the variousmodules 50 that are removeably by hand and without the use of tools aredisposed within the interior 14 of the refrigerator 10 that can include,but are not limited to, an ice dispensing module, a water dispensingmodule, and a dispensing zone, along with other appliance modules thatcan include, but are not limited to, a turbo chill module, a fast freezemodule, a shock freeze module, a temperature controlled crispercompartment module, a fresh food compartment module, an ice makingmodule, a heat exchanger module for dispensing cold or chilled water, aheat exchanger module for creating cold or chilled water to facilitateits carbonation and dispense a carbonated beverage and an airlesscooling module.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 11, according to step 916of the method, a preformed wrapper 16 is provided, wherein the preformedwrapper 16 includes an inner wrapper surface 44 and an outer wrappersurface 46. The outer wrapper surface 46 can include and define adispensing zone 100 into which water or ice can be disposed from withinthe refrigerator 10 for use by the user. Receptacles or receivinglocations for various user interface modules 50 can also be defined bythe outer wrapper surface 46. Similar to the liner 18, the inner wrappersurface 44 of the wrapper 16 cooperates with a second side 38 of thevacuum insulated panel 34 to define various other appliance modulerecesses 40 for receiving various aspects of the refrigerator 10. Thesevarious aspects can include the water dispensing mechanism, the icedispensing mechanism, portions of the user interface for the waterand/or ice dispensing systems, the dispensing zone 100 of therefrigerator 10, and other various mechanical and/or electrical aspectsof the refrigerator 10. The preformed wrapper 16 can be made fromvarious materials that can include, but are not limited to, stainlesssteel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, steel alloys, various plasticmaterials of various colors and textures, and various other metallic orplastic materials, or combinations thereof. Step 918 of the methodincludes disposing the vacuum insulated panel 34 between the liner 18and the wrapper 16. If necessary, the tubular member is also disposedwithin an aperture 60 of the vacuum insulated panel 34 and the wrapper16, liner 18 and tubular member are coupled together with the vacuuminsulated panel 34 positioned within.

In various embodiments, the appliance module recesses 40 can be disposedwithin the cavity 20 defined by the wrapper 16 and the liner 18, andmore specifically by the space between the inner wrapper surface 44 andthe second side 38 of the vacuum insulated panel 34 and the inner linersurface 42 and the first side 36 of the vacuum insulated panel 34. Inother alternate embodiments, the appliance module recesses 40 can bedisposed proximate the outer wrapper surface 46 or within the interior14 of the refrigerator 10 proximate the wrapper 16. Regardless of theexact position of the appliance module recesses 40, the core insulationmember 22 disposed within the vacuum insulated panel 34 forms acontinuous member that is a single integral piece that is typicallyconfigured to cooperate with the various geometries of the wrapper 16and the liner 18, such that the vacuum insulated panel 34 conforms asone unit to the shape necessary to receive the various modules 50,mechanical and/or electrical aspects of the refrigerator 10 and thevarious dispensing aspects of the refrigerator 10. Also, the coreinsulation member 22 and the vacuum insulated panel 34 are configuredsuch that at least a portion of the vacuum insulated panel 34 engagesthe inner wrapper surface 44 and at least a portion of the vacuuminsulated panel 34 also engages the inner liner surface 42, such thatthe vacuum insulated panel 34 has an overall depth substantiallyequivalent to the thickness of the cavity 20.

As discussed above, the core insulation member 22, and, in turn, thevacuum insulated panel 34, can include at least one aperture 60 disposedtherein. In such an embodiment, the tubular member can be disposedwithin the aperture 60 of the vacuum insulated panel 34 and the tubularmember 62 extends from the wrapper 16 through the aperture 60 to theliner 18 of the refrigerator door 12. The tubular member 62 can take theform of a conduit and can have various geometries including, but notlimited to, arcuate, rectilinear, or irregular configurations. Thetubular member 62 is coupled with the outer wrapper 16 and the innerliner 18 proximate the aperture 60 of the vacuum insulated panel 34 tomaintain the cavity 20 defined between the wrapper 16 and the liner 18.The tubular member 62 can be made of materials that include, but are notlimited to, high impact polyvinyl, various metals or metal alloys,various other polymers or plastic materials of various colors andtextures, or combinations thereof.

According to various aspects of the appliance door 12, the coreinsulation member 22 and in turn, the vacuum insulation panel 34, caninclude various female 26 and male 28 engaging surfaces that areconfigured to allow water piping, electrical conduits and wiring, doorhinges, and other mechanical and/or electrical aspects of therefrigerator 10 to pass along or adjacent to the vacuum insulated panel34, while allowing for minimal apertures 60 through which such aspectsneed to pass through the vacuum insulated panel 34 to maintain thecontinuous and integral nature of the core insulation member 22. Aminimal number of apertures 60 may be required within the coreinsulation member 22, advantageously the minimal use of these apertures60 substantially limits the amount of heat that unnecessarily escapesfrom the interior 14 of the appliance 10 through the appliance door 12to the exterior of the appliance 10. As such, the continuous andintegral nature of the core insulation member 22 provides fewer avenuesthrough which heat can escape the appliance 10 over existing flat vacuuminsulated panels or panels that use the wrapper and liner as a portionof the vacuum insulating material.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described device and other components is not limitedto any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devicedisclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unlessdescribed otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature with or without the use of tools and by handunless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present device. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understoodthat such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claimsunless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodimentsonly. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the artand to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merelyfor illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of thedevice, which is defined by the following claims as interpretedaccording to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of creating a vacuum insulatedpanel for an appliance comprising steps of: preforming a shaped coreinsulation member having a length, a width and an exterior surfacedefining at least one male engaging surface and at least one femaleengaging surface, and wherein the core insulation member has a thicknessof between about 8mm and about 20 mm throughout its length and width,wherein the core insulation member is a single integral piece; disposingthe core insulation member proximate a barrier film envelope having atleast one opening, wherein one opening of the at least one opening isdisposed proximate a distal end of the barrier film envelope; pressing atooling fixture into abutting contact with and against the barrier filmenvelope, wherein the tooling fixture includes a profile that matinglyengages at least the at least one female engaging surface and at least aportion of the at least one male engaging surface, and wherein pressingthe tooling fixture against the at least one female engaging surface andat least the portion of the at least one male engaging surface removesat least substantially all gas from between the barrier film envelopeand the at least one female engaging surface and at least the portion ofthe at least one male engaging surface, and wherein the core insulationmember includes at least one aperture through the core insulationmember, and wherein the tooling fixture presses the barrier filmenvelope against the exterior surface of the core insulation member atthe at least one aperture, and wherein the core insulation member is asolid and friable member configured to retain its shape within a vacuum;removing gas from between the barrier film envelope and the coreinsulation member, wherein the barrier film envelope substantiallyconforms to the exterior surface of the core insulation member;hermetically sealing the barrier film envelope, wherein the barrier filmenvelope forms a continuous barrier film layer over the core insulationmember to form the vacuum insulated panel, wherein the step ofhermetically sealing the barrier film envelope includes hermeticallysealing the barrier film envelope proximate the at least one aperture,and wherein the vacuum insulated panel includes an outer surface atleast partially defining a plurality of appliance module recessespositioned proximate the at least one female engaging surface and the atleast one male engaging surface; providing a preformed liner having aninner liner surface; providing a preformed wrapper having an innerwrapper surface and an outer wrapper surface that defines a dispensingzone; providing a tubular member having an outer tubular surface; anddisposing the vacuum insulated panel having a first side and a secondside between the liner and the wrapper and disposing the tubular memberwithin the at least one aperture, wherein at least a portion of thefirst side of the vacuum insulated panel engages the inner linersurface, and wherein at least a portion of the second side engages theinner wrapper surface, and wherein the vacuum insulated panel is formedindependently from the wrapper and the liner.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the tooling fixture includes a plurality of tooling members. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of appliance modulerecesses are configured to receive at least one of an ice dispensingmodule, a water dispensing module, and the dispensing zone, and whereinthe vacuum insulated panel engages at least approximately 80 percent ofthe inner wrapper surface.
 4. A method of creating a vacuum insulatedpanel for an appliance comprising steps of: preforming a shaped coreinsulation member having a length, a width and an exterior surfacedefining at least one male engaging surface and at least one femaleengaging surface, and wherein the core insulation member has a thicknessof between about 8 mm and about 20 mm throughout its length and width;disposing the core insulation member proximate at least one barrier filmmember; pressing a tooling fixture into abutting contact with andagainst the at least one barrier film member, wherein the toolingfixture includes a profile that matingly engages at least the at leastone female engaging surface and at least a portion of the at least onemale engaging surface, and wherein pressing the tooling fixture againstthe at least one female engaging surface and at least the portion of theat least one male engaging surface removes at least substantially allgas from between the at least one barrier film member and the at leastone female engaging surface and at least the portion of the at least onemale engaging surface, wherein the core insulation member includes atleast one aperture through the core insulation member, and wherein thetooling fixture presses the at least one barrier film member against theexterior surface of the core insulation member at the at least oneaperture, and wherein the core insulation member is a solid and friablemember configured to retain its shape within a vacuum; removing gas frombetween the at least one barrier film member and the core insulationmember, wherein the at least one barrier film member substantiallyconforms to the exterior surface of the core insulation member; sealingthe at least one barrier film member, wherein the at least one barrierfilm member forms a continuous barrier film layer over the coreinsulation member to form the vacuum insulated panel having an at leastpartial vacuum defined therein; providing a preformed liner having aninner liner surface; providing a preformed wrapper having an innerwrapper surface and an outer wrapper surface that defines a dispensingzone; providing a tubular member having an outer tubular surface; anddisposing the vacuum insulated panel having a first side and a secondside between the liner and the wrapper and disposing the tubular memberwithin the at least one aperture, wherein at least a portion of thefirst side of the vacuum insulated panel engages the inner linersurface, and wherein at least a portion of the second side engages theinner wrapper surface, and wherein the vacuum insulated panel is formedindependently from the wrapper and the liner.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the core insulation member is a single integral piece, andwherein the at least one barrier film member is a barrier film envelopehaving at least one opening, wherein one of the at least one opening isdisposed proximate a distal end of the barrier film envelope.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the vacuum insulated panel includes an outersurface at least partially defining a plurality of appliance modulerecesses positioned proximate the at least one female engaging surfaceand the at least one male engaging surface.
 7. The method of claim 5,wherein the tooling fixture includes a plurality of tooling members. 8.The method of claim 5, wherein the step of sealing the barrier filmenvelope includes sealing the barrier film envelope proximate the atleast one aperture to define the air-tight seal.
 9. The method of claim6, wherein the plurality of appliance module recesses are configured toreceive at least one of an ice dispensing module, a water dispensingmodule, and the dispensing zone, and wherein the vacuum insulated panelengages at least approximately 80 percent of the inner wrapper surface.